Jelna, Jazz Hands & Just a Bit Too Much Fun
- Anca Sofan, Lead Product & UX at BoatyardX
The first weekend of August 2025 saw the BoatyardX crew packing bags, playlists, and questionable hiking shoes for a well-deserved team-building escape. Destination? The gorgeous Jelna Winery Resort and Spa, nestled somewhere between vineyard paradise and “should we really do karaoke again?”
Getting There Is Half the Adventure
We rolled in from all over—Cluj, Iași, Brașov—with extra credit to our Iași teammates who clocked in some serious mileage (and likely memorised half of Romania’s road network). Special guest appearance? Karolina from Dublin, keeping her perfect attendance streak alive. She’s either in love with our scenery, our company, or the local cuisine. Possibly all three. We don’t blame her.
A warm welcome to the newest faces from Iași, too—who immediately fit in like seasoned veterans. Clearly, team spirit travels well.
Friday Feels: APIs and Aperitifs
The weekend kicked off with a talk that was almost too bright for its own good—Radu Lazin delivered “The Hidden Life of an API” from a sun-drenched terrace in the orchard. While the slides played hide-and-seek with the sunlight, Radu kept us engaged with charisma, insight, and the occasional tech pun. We learned a lot—and squinted just as much.
After the applause, we quickly shifted into weekend mode. The spa sessions opened, the conversations flowed effortlessly, and suddenly we were dancing under fairy lights, singing with varying degrees of talent, and turning a quiet orchard into an open-air lounge. There’s something about the gentle rhythm of the countryside that makes everyone loosen up and lean in—whether into a hammock or a heartfelt chat.
Saturday: Spa, Summit & Songs
Saturday morning was all about recovery and relaxation—the spa worked its magic while coffees were downed at a record pace. By early afternoon, it was time to climb a mountain (okay, a hill—Pripoarelor Summit, to be exact). The views over Lake Colibița were well worth the modest hike. Nature did not disappoint.
The trail gave us a moment of pause—the kind you don’t find in a sprint planning session. Shoes dusty, hearts full, we stood at the top looking out across valleys and lakes, trading stories and taking in the silence. Some moments don’t need a caption; they just need to be lived.
Back at Jelna, things got festive. A live cooking session delighted the senses, accompanied by a curated selection of local specialties best enjoyed slowly and with good company. As twilight arrived, so did karaoke—the kind that begins cautiously and ends in full-blown duets, dance-offs, and declarations of lifelong song partnerships.
The rest of the night? A mix of fire-pit philosophising, boardgames, belly laughs, and the collective decision to trade sleep for bonding. Zero regrets.
Sunday: Still Standing (Barely)
We left Jelna with a few sore muscles, plenty of inside jokes, and a stronger sense of team. It was more than a weekend getaway—it was a reminder of what makes this crew so great.
As we packed up and headed out—some still humming karaoke tunes—we all knew we’d just experienced something special. The kind of weekend that reminds you why working with amazing people matters. Jelna gave us the space to laugh, unwind, connect, and maybe enjoy a glass (or two) of something delightful. Totally worth it.
Until next time, team 🎤🌄🍇
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